![Picture](/uploads/1/1/2/3/11238332/147030313.jpg)
The day before I was to teach my next class I decided it was long over due to wash my yoga mat. I allowed the washing machine to spin and spin my most treasured item and I couldn’t wait to use my shiny clean mat in my next practice.
Unfortunately I had not realised how long my mat would take to dry and as I left to teach the class I felt like I had forgot something important. As I borrowed a mat that day for my practice I felt all out of sync, clumsy and struggled to keep the chatter in my mind calm.
My mat really was due a wash for it had accompanied my since my early days of practice as teenager in my bedroom holding onto the wardrobe as I approached the balances. It had been by my side as I travelled to my yoga retreat and supported me in my teacher training.
My mat was like a child being offered a lovely new fluffy sparkly teddy bear in replace of the much loved and worn old bear, the one with a button missing for the eye, the fur all worn and the stuffing creeping out.
I came to the conclusion that my mat was indeed like an old teddy bear, well used and a bit past its best but my mat is my refuge. As soon as my feet touch its surface I feel grounded and calm ready to begin my practice. It has travelled far and wide with me and has never left my side.
For it is on my mat where I can truly take a big breath exhale and let it go allowing all outside troubles to leave me. My practice allows me to take a step back from my daily life and reflect. A time for me.
So despite my mat not coming out as clean as I liked I won’t be shopping for a new yoga mat anytime soon for there really is no need.
Like a child clinging to that old teddy bear my mat is comforting and feels like home.
Unfortunately I had not realised how long my mat would take to dry and as I left to teach the class I felt like I had forgot something important. As I borrowed a mat that day for my practice I felt all out of sync, clumsy and struggled to keep the chatter in my mind calm.
My mat really was due a wash for it had accompanied my since my early days of practice as teenager in my bedroom holding onto the wardrobe as I approached the balances. It had been by my side as I travelled to my yoga retreat and supported me in my teacher training.
My mat was like a child being offered a lovely new fluffy sparkly teddy bear in replace of the much loved and worn old bear, the one with a button missing for the eye, the fur all worn and the stuffing creeping out.
I came to the conclusion that my mat was indeed like an old teddy bear, well used and a bit past its best but my mat is my refuge. As soon as my feet touch its surface I feel grounded and calm ready to begin my practice. It has travelled far and wide with me and has never left my side.
For it is on my mat where I can truly take a big breath exhale and let it go allowing all outside troubles to leave me. My practice allows me to take a step back from my daily life and reflect. A time for me.
So despite my mat not coming out as clean as I liked I won’t be shopping for a new yoga mat anytime soon for there really is no need.
Like a child clinging to that old teddy bear my mat is comforting and feels like home.